Court documents released overnight reveal that the staffer suing Speaker Peter Slipper for sexual harassment contacted former Howard government minister Mal Brough several times before filing the case.

The case came to an unexpected halt on Monday after lawyers for staffer James Ashby argued he had an implied right under the constitution to expose his boss's alleged wrongdoing.

They also include communications between Mr Ashby and work colleague Karen Doane, who says in one text that Mr Slipper is "demeaning and aggressive".

The documents reveal Mr Ashby was in direct contact with Queensland state LNP frontbencher Mark McArdle about how to handle the allegations.

In one text, Mr Ashby says to him: "It's going to be the biggest challenge of my life but this man needs stopping. He's hurt too many people".

Another text from Mr Ashby sent to a friend named Tania in February says he decided to go ahead with the case even though he knew it was dangerous.

"I really enjoyed our chat last night and I must admit there is an understanding of what power can do to people, but this doesn't empower me once the information is passed on," the text says.

"I don't want to use it for my personal power. It will empower someone else definitely. Will I be rewarded or condemned? Who knows.

"You are right though. The smoking gun is after the shot has been fired. We haven't yet seen the gun go off. I need protection, you're right."

Lawyers for the Commonwealth and Mr Slipper are trying to have the case thrown out because they say it is vexatious and an abuse of the legal process.

Justice Steven Rares had set aside Monday to hear argument from the Government and Mr Slipper's lawyers as to why the case should be permanently stayed.

The Speaker's lawyer told the Federal Court that Mr Ashby deliberately picked Harmers Workplace Lawyers to represent him because they were known for "using the media to apply the blowtorch" to cases and "notorious" for the uninhibited way they use the media to apply pressure in cases.

The law firm represented Kristy Fraser-Kirk in her highly publicised case against former David Jones chief executive Mark McInnes.

However, Justice Rares noted that choosing a particular legal team did not necessarily amount to a conspiracy.

Mr Ashby's lawyer said the firm representing Mr Slipper, Maurice Blackburn, also sought media attention for some of its cases.

But the proceedings came to an abrupt halt when lawyers for Mr Ashby moved to involve Australia's state and federal attorneys-general in the case.

They argued their client had an implied right under the constitution to expose the alleged wrongdoing of his boss.

They said new evidence tabled when the case resumes would include a statement from a QC that he warned Mr Ashby not to accept any favours from the Liberal National Party in return for taking up the case against Mr Slipper.

Lawyers for the Federal Government and Mr Slipper are arguing the harassment allegations are a deliberate attempt to damage Mr Slipper's reputation and career.

The abuse of process case will not resume until the constitutional matter is dealt with.

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